I haven't had a horn on one of my road bikes in over 30 years and can't think of a time when I would have used one. In fact it's one of the first things I remove after I purchase a new bike.

…... and used appropriately (legally, as a warning device) the horn can be quite effective, as described here:

Quote:

Originally Posted by windmill

I seldom need it either, but "seldom" isn't never. As a full time rider I may use it 4 or 5 times a year and it has never caused an intentionally negative reaction.

Last month A woman in the right lane decided to get in the left lane just as I was passing her, a simple toot of the horn put her back in her lane, no evasive maneuver was even necessary. Just a twitch of the thumb, it works, its easy, its already there.

Turn signals, brake light, horn, they're standard on all bikes, why not learn to use them to communicate with other road users?

However on occasion, as I described in an earlier post, use of the horn can cause offence.

__________________there are old motorcyclists and bold motorcyclists
but you seldom meet an old, bold motorcyclist

So the horn is a tool for reminding drivers the severity of driving 4000lbs of steel down the highway next to a guy wearing a helmet. What they take from it depends on how much they care and possibly how loud it is.

I might look at swapping my high beam trigger and the horn button. It would definitely get more use that way.

Get a "Screaming Banshee" horn! It's basically a Stebel that kicks in after a set (by you) delay and also flashes the high beam. Around $100 and on each of my big bikes. Gives unobservant drivers whiplash...boo hoo.

Keeps the stock horn so you can still give a friendly "toot"

__________________
Young enough to think I can. Old enough to know I shouldn't. Stupid enough to do it anyway
'13 Duc Multi GT, '10 Vstrom 1k, '10 705cc KLR

I use my horn almost every time I ride.
If a car is getting ready to pull out of an alley, or make a left turn from oncoming direction, I just bump it for a half-second couple times, to say: "Hey, I'm here". I also do a quick left-right weave if I'm up the road and not too close to them.
Nobody seems to get upset unless you're laying on the horn for an extended period of time. If it is just a quick blip (the sound is kinda like when you lock the car with your key-fob), it's no prob.

+1... many times after I get the attention of the potential assassin, I'll waive like I know them..

I've used mine twice. It is a loud horn like a Steeble, Nautilus maybe?... Both time I used it got the job done. Both times a vehicle in the lane beside me started to move over into my lane/me. Quick blast of the horn and they were both back in their lane. I do not rely on it alone in those situations, but it typically works to at least wake up the wandering driver.

I'm always giving a friend toot. Just in case they aren't paying attention. I have a cowbell that sounds off riding down the road. I'm not going to be a casualty from a discerning motorist. LOOK AT ME, or hear me, just don't pull out in front of me. I'm the guy in the middle of the road with my headlight in your face. Don't tell me you didn't see or hear me coming. I always play in the middle of the road. Ding-a-ling! Beep, beep.

I used my horn one time because I saw a car starting to back out of their driveway and was thinking they didn't see me. I've only been riding since march though
Just a quick meep meep.

This is semi-unrelated but it may be fall into the category of defensive driving.
I don't do any ''good deeds'' while on the bike - Ex: slowing to let someone turn, stopping early to let someone pull out. The consequences of being rear ended (even at 10 mph) are too great for me.

As a warning or an attention getter horn works just fine. One situation that is very common is passing a bus stopped at a bus stop, and then having to turn right, in front of the bus. I always do two quick honks as I pass the bus. Driver always turns my way, and if he is about to pull out, lets me pass and turn.